The Riddle of Jim Lillian
Part Six: Minerva's Tale
Standard Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
WARNING: Major Character Deaths
Part Six Summary: After a row with the Minister of Magic and his lackey Under-Secretary (Percy, of course), McGonagall gets the surprise of her life: Jim Lillian applying for the Defense Against the Darks Arts Position.
21st February, 2005
"Thank you for your time, Auror Tonks," Professor Granger said with a smile.
"You're welcome, Herm… Professor," Tonks corrected herself and the class chuckled. A very pregnant Nymphadora Tonks-Weasley had just finished telling the students that charms could be used in everything from tracking a suspect to subduing a Dark Wizard. Tonks waddled back to her seat.
Minerva sat in the very back row of the classroom, watching and waiting. She had suggested to Hermione a "Career Day" for her N.E.W.T. level Charm class: a day when Ministry personnel could come into the class and discuss with the class the practical uses of charms in their jobs. Hermione embraced the idea with a fervor that only she could possess.
"And now, students we have Madame Patricia Stalk, a Ministry Obliviator," Hermione said as a squat woman with pearl-white hair walked to the front of the classroom.
Minerva leaned forward in her chair. This is what she had wished for when she suggested this "Career Day." Minerva had waited months for certain questions to be answered, and if she knew Hermione, the young woman would ask them for her.
"Thank you for coming, Madame Stalk," Hermione greeted the witch. "Would you please tell the class what charms you use in your job?"
"I work as an Obliviator," Stalk answered cheerily. "I adjust people's memories, mostly Muggles, mind you. If someone sees something that they weren't supposed to see, such as a wizard flying on a broom, I cast a few charms and alter their memories."
"Are there any side effects in adjusting one's memories?" Hermione asked.
"If the adjustment was being done by someone who was trained properly, not many. Sometimes, if the memories that we are trying to alter are extensive, then the Muggle may become somewhat disoriented for a period of time"
"You've said 'mostly Muggles,' have you ever had to adjust a witch or wizard?" Hermione asked.
'That's my girl,' Minerva thought to herself.
"Not myself, no," Stalk said. "It's very difficult to modify a magical person's memory properly. That is to say, wizards can have their memories wiped, or removed, just as easily as a Muggle, but to alter or adjust an existing memory is much harder. We magical folk tend to have a natural defense against such Memory charms. You see, only very powerful and skilled witches and wizards can adjust memories on non Muggles. Even then there will be noticeable side effects, such as a short attention span when the person was previously bright and attentive, or mood swings when he was even-tempered, and so on."
"Is there a test to check to see if a witch or wizard has had his or her memories adjusted?" Hermione asked. Minerva could have sworn that Hermione cast her gaze briefly in her direction.
Suddenly Minerva realized that Hermione had most likely discovered her plan to see if the younger witch had been hit with a Memory Charm.
"Oh, yes, a very simple charm, in fact." Stalk pulled out her wand and gestured to Hermione. "May I?"
"Of course you may."
"Now this charm will make your aura visible for a few seconds. If the aura is blue, then you would never have had your memory adjusted. If it's red," the squat witch chuckled, "well then you saw, heard, or knew of something that someone didn't want you to know."
Stalk waved her wand in front of Hermione while muttering an incantation and suddenly a blue haze covered the young woman.
"Well, I guess that proves that I have not had my memory adjusted, now doesn't it?" Hermione said while looking directly at Minerva. "Does anyone have any questions for Madame Stalk?"
A dozen hands rose as Minerva slipped out of the classroom and headed to her office.
Minerva paced back and forth in her office. Her lips worked themselves into a thin line. Her mind was lost in thought.
She was lying; Hermione Granger was knowingly lying to her. Minerva's plan to inconspicuously test Hermione to see if she had had her memory adjusted proved it.
A burst of green flames erupted from the fireplace, and Kingsley Shacklebolt stepped out.
"Did it work, Minerva?" he asked in his deep voice.
"Yes and no," Minerva replied, still pacing. "Hermione has never had her memory adjusted. And she definitely knows that I suspect something."
"Well that makes two of them. I am positive that Lillian knows that I have been trying to follow him," Kingsley said grimly. "It's nearly impossible for me to shadow Lillian. I have tried to follow him these past few months, and he continually throws me off of his tracks with ease. Six weeks ago, I placed a Tracking Charm on him, and he somehow removed it and put it on a stray dog. Last week he put a Glamour Charm on at least six people to make them look like him, all at the same time.
"The Ministry has refused my request for funding and support again," Kingsley said angrily. "My superiors keep telling me they have no interest in finding Ron's, Luna's, or Neville's murderer. As far as they see it, a Death Eater did it, even if it wasn't Malfoy. And since all of the Death Eaters are now gone, why bother? As to Lillian's mysterious past, the Ministry has detailed records of Jim Lillian; copies of his first Hogwarts letter, school records, Auror training, and all the rest. They don't care that the Muggle authorities have no record of Lillian or his family."
"So we are still on our own," Minerva said. "And, now, our only two leads are aware of our suspicions of them, forcing us to back off."
"I do have some useful information about Lillian. But it's not good," Kingsley said frowning. "He apparently is in a relationship."
"And?" Minerva asked, knowing she would not like the answer.
"He is currently dating Hermione Granger."
Minerva cursed. Not only was Hermione lying about Ron's death, she was obviously working with Lillian and helping him keep his secrets. And whatever his secrets might be, he had one of the smartest people that Minerva had ever met at his side.
This could be bad, very bad indeed.
13th August, 2005
She rubbed her temples with her fingers, trying to subdue the migraine that was developing.
"Really, Minerva, you're being unreasonable," Minister Driscoll drawled out. "I think it is high time to erect a fitting tribute to Harold Potter on the school grounds."
Driscoll gestured for his Under-Secretary, Percy Weasley, to show Minerva the prototype. Weasley placed a small statue in front of Minerva. Percy motioned to the statue theatrically, and Minerva glanced at it quickly. It was the typical "heroic" depiction of The-Boy-Who-Lived, with broad muscular shoulders, long flowing hair and the overly-large scar that practically bisected his face.
She leveled her cold stare at the former Head Boy. Weasley slowly stepped back until he was half-hiding behind the Minister.
"I do believe that it is you, Minister, who is being unreasonable," Minerva said, not taking her eyes off of Weasley. "You barge into my office without an appointment and demand that I allow you to place that…." she pointed a contemptuous finger at the statue, "that thing on the school grounds; a proposal that has come to my attention many times before. I will tell you what I have said each time before. No! I will not allow you to erect that hideous thing here."
"I will not sit here and let you insult Harold Potter's memory like this," the Minister thundered and stood boldly.
"'Insult Potter's memory'?" Minerva mocked. "You did not even know Harry Potter, but I did. He was one of my favorite students as were his parents. While he was alive, he despised all the stares, all the attention he got, just because he was 'The-Boy-Who-Lived'. Harry wanted nothing more than to lead a normal and peaceful life. He would have been offended by all of this ridiculous attention and hero worship! Every statue, monument, and painting you make of Potter infuriates me, because Harry would have hated it. How dare you say that I insult his memory when all you and the Ministry are able to do is generate the insult?"
Driscoll took an uneasy step backwards.
"Minerva, please…" the Minister began.
"I already have an appointment currently scheduled for an interview for the Flight Instructor, and the applicant will be here at any moment," Minerva cut him off. "If you would be so kind as to leave and don't let the door…"
A knock at the door interrupted her.
"Yes?" Minerva asked.
The door opened slightly and the bushy brown mane of Hermione Granger appeared.
"Pardon me, Headmistress, are we interrupting?" Hermione asked.
"No, not at all. My guests were just leaving," Minerva said coldly. "Come in and bring your… friend."
Hermione had told her the day before that she had found the perfect person for the job of Flight Instructor. Minerva expected to see the enigma that is Jim Lillian to follow her in, but was surprised to see Ginny Weasley walk in, followed by Remus Lupin. Remus closed the door behind him.
"I hope you don't mind, Minerva, but Ginny invited me," Remus said with a warm smile. "For support."
"Of course not, do come in," Minerva said.
"Ah, Professor Granger, maybe you can talk some sense into…" the Minister began.
"What is that?" Hermione asked with an icy tone while pointing at the statue on Minerva's desk.
"That is a prototype of the statue we would like to erect on the school grounds," Percy informed Hermione as she pushed past the Minister. Hermione picked up the garish thing to inspect it from a closer vantage. "I figured that Harold would have appreciated a tribute here at Hogwarts."
A glint of green light caught Minerva's eye. Her desk lamp's flame was reflecting off of a small emerald set in a simple band around Hermione's left ring finger. Minerva suppressed a gasp as Hermione set the statue down. Minerva was stunned. She recognized the ring as the one Hermione had shown her years ago, the ring that Harry had planned on giving the young woman as an engagement ring. But Hermione no longer wore it on a chain as was her habit; it now resided upon her ring finger.
"I do not believe Harry would have appreciated it," Hermione corrected Percy.
"But Hermione, I believe…" Percy began.
"Percy Weasley, I could not care less what you believe," Hermione spat.
Remus began walking towards the desk to look at the statue for himself when he inadvertently brushed up against Percy. Percy almost cried out as he recoiled at the werewolf's touch.
"Don't worry, Mr. Weasley, I am harmless," Remus said patronizingly. "It's not that time of the month."
"Well it's that time of month for me, you snot!" Ginny shouted and began jabbing her forefinger into her brother's chest.
"How dare you do that to Harry's memory!" Ginny berated him. Percy was taken back at how much Ginny reminded him of their mother when she was on the warpath. "He was like a brother to us. Harry was part of the family, for Merlin's sake!"
Ginny paused for a breath intending to chew out her brother some more when the Minister spoke up.
"Lillian?" Driscoll was looking in the opposite corner of the office. "Is that you?"
Minerva followed the Minister's eyes and saw a form standing in the shadows. The form took a step into the light.
"I didn't hear you come in," the Minister stated.
"Neither did I," Minerva glared at the short man. She had only seen Lillian once before, but she felt as if she could recognize him anywhere.
"Jim, old boy!" Percy called out as he rubbed his chest where his sister had poked him. "Tell them what you think about this…"
Percy pumped Lillian's gloved hand as he led him to Minerva's desk while explaining the situation about the statue.
As Lillian scrutinized the small statue, Minerva studied him. His shaded glasses hid his eyes and his dark auburn hair was tied into a ponytail. Something about the man seemed familiar. Was it the way the way tiny lines formed on his smooth brow as he looked at the offending figure in his hands? Or was it his seemingly bizarre habit of wearing fingerless Seeker gloves? She did not know what made him familiar, but Minerva was certain that she had never seen him before that day of the executions.
"It's nice," Lillian said.
"It's what?" Hermione nearly screeched.
"I like it," Lillian said. "When are you going to commission one for Neville?"
"Excuse me?" Percy asked.
"Neville Longbottom," Lillian gestured with the statue. "He sacrificed as much, if not more, than Harry did. I think he deserves a statue, too. One made out of gold perhaps?"
"Harold Potter died trying to save the world," Percy said indignantly.
"Whereas Neville died trying to save your sister," Lillian said as he shoved the statue roughly into Percy's hands. "I suggest as you two leave," Lillian put an extra emphasis on the word 'leave', "that you look at the bronze plaque at the entrance to the Great Hall. It lists all of the names of the people who died during the Final Battle. I think that Harry would have appreciated that more than any statue. Good day."
With that, Remus ushered the two men out of the office. Ginny still stood in the spot where she chastised her brother with her balled fists shaking. The redhead was muttering under her breath something like, "that smarmy, ungrateful git" and "teach him a lesson."
"Ginny, don't you have something to ask the Headmistress?" Hermione asked as she took a seat. Minerva watched as Lillian walked over to Hermione and took his place behind her. Hermione leaned slightly into Lillian as he put a gentle on her shoulder. The pair's body language told her that they were very comfortable around each other, as if they had known each other for years.
"What? Oh, yes," Ginny said as she snapped out of her tirade. She turned bright red and fumbled through the pockets of her robes as she spoke to McGonagall. "Um, Professor, I mean, Headmistress… I know I didn't finish my schooling here at Hogwarts, but I heard about Hooch, that is, Madam Hooch retiring and…" Ginny finally pulled a roll of parchment out of her robes and with a shaky hand, gave it to the Headmistress. "Well, here is my application and a letter of recommendation from Hermione. I think I would do a good job."
"I don't need to see those, Ginny," Minerva said waving away the parchment. "You have the position, welcome back to Hogwarts."
Ginny squealed like a schoolgirl and tackled Hermione in a hug. Remus shook Ginny's hand and offered his congratulations.
Minerva's smile disappeared from her face. She turned her attention to the short man standing behind Hermione.
"And why, pray tell, are you here, Mr. Lillian?" Minerva asked sternly.
"I am here to apply for the Dark Arts position," he replied simply.
"And what are you going to do next year then?" Ginny asked with a giggle. "That is, if you survive?"
"Do you mind?" Remus interjected. "Not every teacher who held that position died."
"You're one of the rare few, Remus," Ginny chuckled. Lillian pulled out several rolls of parchment from his robes.
"And I take it that you also have a letter of recommendation from Professor Granger as well?" Minerva asked, ignoring the interchange between the red-haired witch and the werewolf.
"Among others," Lillian said as he walked up to her desk and set the rolls down. "She is my fiancée after all."
Another squeal echoed off of the walls as Ginny enveloped Hermione in an even tighter hug.
"I AM the best matchmaker, ever!" Ginny yelled.
Ginny grabbed Hermione's left hand and examined the green emerald.
"Congratulations, Hermione," Minerva said without emotion.
"Headmistress, you have to see the ring," Ginny squealed. "It's beautiful!"
"I have seen it already," Minerva said, shooting an icy glare at Hermione. "Some time ago."
"Congratulations, Hermione," Remus said and kissed her on the cheek. "And congratulations to the Matchmaker as well. When did you introduce these two?"
"Oh, about nine months ago," Ginny blushed furiously at Remus' praise. "I just knew they would hit it off when they met."
"Nine months?" Minerva interrupted. "Then I am glad that I am not the only one to whom Hermione has been lying."
"Excuse me?" Ginny said angrily. "What makes you think Hermione lied to me?"
"Because seven years ago, Hermione told me about him," Minerva spat and pointed a finger at Lillian, "and about how she was concerned that he would not receive his certificate papers."
"You went to Hogwarts?" Ginny asked, turning towards Lillian. "What year were you in?"
"He was in the same year as Hermione," Minerva answered. The Headmistress leaned down and unlocked a drawer in her desk. She pulled several rolls of parchment from the drawer and tossed them on her desk, knocking Lillian's application to the floor. "According to school records, he was in Huffelpuff."
"Wait, I thought I knew everyone in Hufflepuff…" Ginny looked at Lillian in disbelief. "I don't remember you."
"Tell me, Remus, do you remember this man from the year you taught here?" Minerva demanded.
"Well, to be honest, most of my attention was focused on Harry and his friends that year," Remus answered as he scrutinized Lillian. "I'm sorry I don't remember you, Mr. Lillian"
"Don't worry, Remus, I do not recall him either," Minerva glowered at the bespectacled man. "Mr. Lillian, I remember every one of my students, not just their names, but their features, their grades, and their particular fields of specialty. But I do not remember you at all. In fact, the only person who does remember you from school is your fiancée.
"I recall the first time she mentioned you to me; it was a few days after the final battle. I could not understand why I had no recollection of you, nor why no one else did for that matter," Minerva paced behind her desk. "Then, last year when Draco Malfoy was executed, I discovered that Hermione was also lying about what happened on the Astronomy Tower." Ginny paled and Hermione squeezed her hand. "Then a most disturbing thought occurred to me. 'If Hermione lied about Malfoy killing Ron, then what else could she be lying about?'
"I cannot help but come to the conclusion that these two lies are connected and that you, Mr. Lillian are the crux of the issue!"
"Minerva, I know what happened that night on the Astronomy Tower; Ginny told me," Remus said.
"Yes, Hermione lied to protect me and my family, Professor," Ginny meekly said.
"I can say beyond a shadow of a doubt that Mr. Lillian had nothing to do with what happened that night or with Hermione lying," Remus stated.
"Actually, Moony," Lillian interjected, "I am the person who told Hermione to lie. It was my idea to say that Malfoy was the one to kill Ron."
"What?" Remus said, looking utterly shocked and confused.
"No, you couldn't have… you weren't even there…" Ginny said, on the verge of panic. The red-haired witch was about to take a step towards Lillian to confront him when Hermione restrained her.
"It's okay, Ginny," Hermione said soothingly.
"And did you tell her to lie about meeting you during school?" Minerva demanded.
"Technically, Minerva, I did not lie when I said that I met Jim when I went to visit Harry in the hospital ward," Hermione stated.
"Then why does no one else remember him?"
"Because Jim Lillian never spent a day in Hogwarts," Lillian said simply.
Minerva blinked, taken back at Lillian's bizarre third-person confession.
"You see, Professor, I did attend this fine school, but I have changed a lot these past seven years," Lillian said as he walked towards the elderly witch. Lillian removed the glove from his right hand as he bent over to pick up his resume from the floor. As he placed the scroll back on Minerva's desk, she noticed that he had a bizarre scar on the back of his hand. It almost looked like joined letters, as if someone had carved a sentence in his flesh. Minerva now realized the reason this man wore gloves constantly -- it was to cover this bizarre scar.
"It's no wonder you don't remember me. I've changed my voice, the way I walk, my name, even my appearance," Lillian continued. "But the one thing I could never change are my eyes. Even if I could change them, I wouldn't. Because I got them from my mum, and I reckon if I had gotten to know her, I would have made a fine 'mother's boy'."
Lillian stood right in front of Minerva and slowly removed his shaded glasses. Minerva stared directly into Jim Lillian's almond shaped, emerald green eyes, eyes that brought a flood of memories to Minerva's mind.
It was so long ago that Minerva first saw those eyes on the auburn-haired Muggle born witch who was sorted into Gryffindor. Years later, that same witch proudly showed Minerva her only son, a son that had inherited his mother's brilliant green eyes. Minerva remembered the same boy's eyes when he too was sorted into Gryffindor.
"Harry?"
TBC
Author's Notes: Thanks to my betas sasqch and Penelope78